Gosamaru

Gosamaru (護佐丸, d. 1458) was a Ryukyuan lord (aji)^[1] of the gusuku (castles) of Zakimi and, later, Nakagusuku. He supported Shō Hashi, first king of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, in his conquest of Hokuzan and unification of Okinawa Island.

He was also known as Seishun (盛春), and by the Chinese name Mao Guoding (毛國鼎, J: Mō Kokutei).^[1]

Life

Gosamaru was born in Yamada Castle, in the village of Onna.^[2] In 1416, he led the forces of Yamada Castle in support of Shō Hashi, king of the Okinawan kingdom of Chūzan, in his invasion and conquest of the neighboring kingdom of Hokuzan.^[2] Hashi would conquer the kingdom of Nanzan to the south several years later, uniting Okinawa Island, ending the Sanzan Period, and founding the unified Ryūkyū Kingdom.

In recognition of his support, Gosamaru was made custodian of Hokuzan, and given Nakijin Castle,^[2] which had until then served as the royal seat of Hokuzan. Some time later, Gosamaru left Nakijin for Zakimi, in Yomitan village, where he built a new gusuku; it is said he mobilized workers from as far away as the Amami Islands for this project,^[2] and that stones were moved by hand from Yamada Castle to build the new castle.^[1]

For many years, Gosamaru served the kingdom loyally, and developed ties with the royal family, his daughter marrying King Shō Taikyū.^[1] Upon the wishes of the royal government, he oversaw the construction of a gusuku at Nakagusuku (中城), and established himself there, serving to watch over another local lord, Amawari of Katsuren Castle, who had grown powerful and wealthy from maritime trade and who had his eye on the throne.^[3] In 1458, however, Amawari reported to the royal government that it was Gosamaru who was planning a revolt,^[3] and so the kingdom's forces, led by Amawari, assaulted Nakagusuku Castle. It is said that Gosamaru refused to fight back, out of loyalty to the kingdom, and killed himself rather than betray his loyalties and oppose his king.^[2] Amawari was executed soon afterwards, his duplicity having been discovered by a note to the king which Gosamaru placed in his mouth, knowing Amawari would bring his head to present to the king. An alternate theory claims that the entire affair was organized by the royal government, in order to remove both Gosamaru and Amawari as powerful rivals and potential threats to the succession.^[4]

The tale of Gosamaru's betrayal and destruction by Amawari is among the more famous and popular of local historical legends. A Kumi Odori dance-play telling of Gosamaru's sons' quest for revenge against Amawari, was once performed as part of the kingdom's formal entertainment of Chinese investiture envoys, and has in more recent times become a popular favorite.^[3]

Another theory of events where Gosamaru plotted to take over the kingdom and was jealous of Amawari's growing power is presented in the famous well renown play titled "Amawari."

Tomb of Gosamaru.

References

1. "Gosamaru." Okinawa konpakuto jiten (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpo (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 25 July 2009.
2. "Gosamaru." Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People of Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 1996. p29.
3. Okinawa G8 Summit Host Preparation Council. "Three Castles, Two Lords and a Ryukyuan Opera." The Okinawa Summit 2000 Archives. Accessed 25 July 2009.
4. "Gosamaru-Amawari no hen." Okinawa konpakuto jiten (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpo (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 25 July 2009.